WHY CPB FUNDING MATTERS: STRENGTHENING OETA THROUGH A NATIONAL/LOCAL PARTNERSHIP

At OETA, we are proud to serve all 77 counties of Oklahoma with trusted news, inspiring stories, and high-quality educational programming — but we don’t do it alone. Behind every broadcast, every learning resource, and every emergency alert is a powerful public media partnership made possible through federal support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

This unique national/local partnership ensures that public media is both universally available and locally relevant. It plays a critical role in helping OETA fulfill our mission to inform, inspire, and connect Oklahomans from every walk of life.

WHAT CPB FUNDING SUPPORTS AT OETA

CPB funding is not just an investment in content — it’s an investment in community. Here’s how that support translates into services across Oklahoma:

Educational Programming for Children

More than 50% of U.S. children don’t attend preschool, and in many rural communities, broadband access is still out of reach. CPB funding helps OETA deliver free, curriculum-based PBS KIDS content over the air and online, ensuring every child has access to early learning resources, no matter where they live.

Resources for Teachers and Classrooms

OETA’s partnerships with Oklahoma educators are made possible in part by CPB support. We offer free professional development, PBS LearningMedia content, and classroom tools that strengthen student engagement and align with state standards.

Local Journalism and Public Affairs

Federal funding helps OETA produce trusted news programming like the Oklahoma News Report, covering the issues that matter most to our communities — from healthcare and education to tribal affairs and the environment.

Emergency Communications Infrastructure

OETA maintains the state’s PBS WARN (Warning, Alert, and Response Network), a critical system that allows emergency alerts to be transmitted even during internet and cell service outages. CPB’s support helps fund the infrastructure that keeps Oklahomans safe during emergencies.

Access for Rural and Underserved Areas

In regions where streaming isn’t possible and local news is scarce, OETA remains a vital source of trusted content. CPB funding helps maintain our four transmitters and 14 translator stations, delivering service to communities where public television may be the only reliable local media outlet.

HOW CPB FUNDING IS ALLOCATED

The partnership with CPB allows OETA to directly support the programs and services that benefit Oklahomans. Here’s how CPB funding is distributed across OETA’s operations:

• Broadcast-Programming: $327,931 (17% of funds)
• Broadcast-Production Equipment: $227,072 (12% of funds)
• One-Time Construction: $210,157 (11% of funds)
• Utilities: $290,845 (15% of funds)
• Maintenance: $165,805 (9% of funds)
• Tower-Rental and Related Costs: $171,770 (9% of funds)
• Production Costs: $89,073 (5% of funds)
• Printing: $81,926 (4% of funds)
• Managed IT Services: $37,615 (2% of funds)

These funds ensure that OETA can continue its mission, supporting local journalism, educational programming, emergency communications, and more.

WHY THIS PARTNERSHIP WORKS

The public broadcasting model is unique – a blend of federal, state, and philanthropic funding that ensures accountability, independence, and community impact. CPB doesn’t produce programming or control editorial content; instead, it empowers local stations like OETA to make decisions based on the needs of our communities. By supporting both national initiatives and local voices, CPB helps create a public media system that is flexible, resilient, and deeply rooted in public service.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Each year, CPB distributes federal funds to stations across the country based on formulas that prioritize local need, rural access, and operational capacity. For OETA, these funds help us continue serving as Oklahoma’s educational partner, news source, and emergency broadcaster. A threat to CPB funding is a threat to local public media. Without it, stations like OETA would struggle to maintain services that many Oklahomans rely on – especially in underserved areas.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you believe in the power of public media, we encourage you to learn more and take action:

🖱️  Visit www.ProtectMyPublicMedia.org to contact your legislators and advocate for continued federal funding.

📺  Support OETA directly by becoming a member or sharing your story.

💬  Talk to your friends and family about why OETA matters to you and your community.